Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly exploring plans to establish semiconductor plants in the Honam region, drawing significant industry attention.
According to a report by Hankyoreh on June 8, the proposal for new semiconductor facilities by Samsung and SK Hynix is a key topic in discussions among the government and major corporations regarding investment outside the capital region.
The report indicates potential investment sites include Gwangju, where a military airport relocation is underway, and Jangseong in Jeollanam-do, which is developing a large-scale data center. If realized, this plan could lead to new investments worth trillions of won in the Honam area.
Currently, Samsung's major semiconductor production bases are located in Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, and Giheung in Gyeonggi Province. SK Hynix operates its production facilities primarily in Icheon and Cheongju, also in Gyeonggi Province. Many semiconductor backend processing and packaging facilities are concentrated in the Chungcheong region.
As a result, industry experts are paying close attention to the possibility that the new investments could focus on advanced packaging plants or semiconductor backend processing facilities. With the recent expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market, the importance of advanced packaging technology has surged, increasing the likelihood of attracting related facilities.
Some analysts suggest that this review aligns with the regional balanced development policy of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Indeed, voices within the ruling party have consistently called for the decentralization of semiconductor industry infrastructure, which has been concentrated in the capital region since last year.
President Lee Jae-myung also stated at a press conference marking his first anniversary, "I will soon unveil a large-scale investment project that will bring about a significant transformation in our growth strategy," adding, "There is a need to balance the issues between Yeongnam and Honam by investing more in Honam."
However, as of now, both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have not issued any official statements regarding the establishment of semiconductor plants in Honam. The government has also not disclosed specific details about the investment scale or timeline.
Meanwhile, the semiconductor industry anticipates that the increasing demand for AI semiconductors and the ongoing global supply chain restructuring could lead to significant changes in the domestic semiconductor landscape, influenced by government industrial policies and corporate investment strategies.
On the same day, Newsis reported that representatives from both companies downplayed the establishment of semiconductor plants. A Samsung Electronics official told Newsis, "We are unaware of this matter and have no knowledge of it." Similarly, an SK Hynix official stated, "We are not aware of this issue."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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